Winners of the annual Wattle Range Council Photographic Exhibition were announced last Sunday (18 September) before an audience of 70 photographers, families, and friends.

An increase in entries saw 328 digital images submitted, across 11 categories, with the nature category being divided into Flora and Fauna, recognising the calibre of photography put forward.

An impressive 53 photographers presented entries, 29 of them for the first time, many of whom received accolades. Council’s Manager Libraries & Gallery, Janice Nitschke was again impressed by the variety and exellence of entries arriving. “It is fantastic to see our region from the perspective of these creative and incredibly talented photographers,” she said.

Among the first-time entrants to receive recognition were:

• Janet Crowe’s stunning photograph of a pair of teals which won the Lake McIntyre category,
• Tahlia Kirkland who took out the Business & Industry category with a captivating photo of a pair of hands shearing a sheep,
• Monique McGregor’s mystical image titled Pretty Pixels which won Nature (Fauna), and
• Hugh Manningdale with his stunning Drone image of the Salmon Hole swell.

“Four stunning photographs all interpreting the diversity and beauty of Wattle Range.

"First time entrants also featured heavily as Runner-Up and Merits including Bianca Briggs, Russell Murphy, Paula Brockman and Katie Edwards.

“After many years of assisting us with the Photographic Exhibition, long-time event supporter Steve Chapple entered and was successful in winning the Landscape category with a moody and beautiful seascape of the Southend Jetty.

“Return photographer Simon Whennen showed his prowess as a nature photographer as did Steve Chapple."

There was also continued success for previous winners:

• Liam Mills, whose work is featured on the new Beachport entrance sign won the Sport and Recreation category with a capture of a lone surfer,
• Alex Window was victorious in People and Portrait with an image of the sculptural sand of the beach cliffs and his daughter,
• Mary Whitehead won both the Black and White category with a striking photograph of harvest time and the Nature (Flora) category with a beautiful photograph of a blue wren in wattle flowers, and
• Phil DeKoning once again won the Panoramic category with an outstanding photo of Lake Leake and a brilliant sunset.

“Developing photographer Lily Cain again impressed, when she won the youth category with a stunning photo of the sunset on the horizon. The judges acknowledged the standard of photography from all the youth who entered and rewarded them with vouchers to encourage them to continue to develop and achieve.

“All winning, runner up, third or merit images have been printed and hung in the Millicent Gallery for display and already visiting photographers from Portland and the Limestone Coast who have attended commented on the quality and diversity of the exhibition,” she explained.

Work is now underway to select the photographs for the 2023 Wattle Range Council Community Calendar. “In its 15th year, the calendar has continued to evolve and be enriched through the range, quality and excellence of the photography submitted in each Photographic Exhibition,” Mrs Nitschke said.

The Exhibition is on display in the Gallery through to October 12.